Gareth Southgate today saluted his embarrassment of defensive riches as Chris Riggott and Ugo Ehiogu joined the battle for Boro Premiership places.

Both players came through a behind closed doors reserve game at Sunderland unscathed after returning from long injury lay-offs.

Riggott, who hasn't played since Boro's 4-0 defeat at home to Portsmouth in August, put in 90 minutes for Colin Cooper's side while Ehiogu, injured since the game at Bolton last season, played just over an hour.

Southgate enthused: "It was good to see Chris Riggott and Ugo Ehiogu playing again.

"They seem to have come through the game without any setbacks, though we'll obviously check on them again over the next couple of days, before we take things forward with them.

"Ugo had an hour, while Riggs got through 90 so that was a positive."

Boro lost the game 2-1 with Julio Arca, also back from injury, scoring the goal for Cooper's side against his former club after the Black Cats had earlier forged a two-goal lead.

Gaizka Mendieta, who played a one-two with Arca for the goal, and Malcolm Christie also saw action.

Southgate said: "While I was pleased to see Ugo and Riggs back, it was a good opportunity for the likes of Mendi, Julio and Malcolm to get some football under their belts because they haven't played a lot lately."

The only disappointment was an injury to Danny Graham, which was being assessed today.

An unfortunate collision between Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer and Patrick Kisnorbo led to Ghana grabbing a 1-1 draw against Australia at Loftus Road in London.

John Aloisi's penalty had put Australia deservedly in front at half-time, but as Schwarzer went down, having taken a low cross, the ball hit Kisnorbo in the head, bobbled free and Nottingham Forest's Ghanaian striker Junior Agogo tapped home the equaliser.